THE opening of the marron season in the South West has seen a flurry of people stocking up on pellets as well as the good old marron snare.The effort seems to have paid off as good numbers are being reported.
The season will continue until noon on February 5. For the Department of Fisheries guide on legal fishing gear, closed waters and catch and size limits, visit http://ow.ly/H9q3d
Boaties have been doing quite well over the holidays as they fish off the west coast for mixed bag of demersals including dhufish, pink snapper, queen snapper, and nannygai.
There have been lots of undersize dhufish around so if it feels like you have a small fish, reel it up slow to avoid barotrauma.
Yellowtail kingfish and samson fish have also been showing up in quite large numbers over the last few weeks. Try throwing out a floating bait or drop down a jig if you see some fish in the mid water column on your sounder. Make sure your leader, knots, and drag are all set up properly for these strong fish or you'll definitely be talking about the one that got away.
The Department of Transport has been checking boats to ensure the correct equipment is carried, so make sure you have up-to-date flares and life jackets for everyone on board.
Fishing from the shore has been fairly consistent with anglers targeting herring, sand whiting, skippy, and silver bream. There have been no problems bringing home a tasty feed.
Using the baitcatcher sabiki rigs with a little bit of squid is a sure way to get the kids into a few fish.
Patient anglers fishing the sand holes have also been doing quite well on good-sized King George over the last few months using a bit of prawn and a running sinker rig.
Beach fishers have had mixed success over the holiday period with some anglers reporting decent catches of tailor and a few mulloway for those fishing the gutters right on sunset and into the night.
It has been a great year so far for crayfish, with divers and boaties pulling pots with success over the last couple weeks.
Be sure to know the regulations and have your licence with you.
Spearos have been reporting good catches with a few dhufish still getting around in shallow water as well as demersal fish, yellowtail kingies, skippy, and King George whiting.
Happy fishing and diving and keep safe.
